Newfoundland and Labrador · Summer breeder

Vesper Sparrows in Newfoundland and Labrador

When vesper sparrows are present in Newfoundland and Labrador, when they nest, which native Newfoundland and Labrador plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–6b yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineus

Status in Newfoundland and Labrador: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1–3 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–6b

When to expect vesper sparrows in Newfoundland and Labrador

Vesper Sparrows are summer residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.

Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador

Across Newfoundland and Labrador, vesper sparrows typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.

Vesper Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, red maple, willow (bebb) for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Newfoundland and Labrador plants that attract vesper sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Newfoundland and Labrador, these 5 provide food or cover vesper sparrows use:

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Red maple

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding vesper sparrows through the Newfoundland and Labrador year

Top foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
In Newfoundland and Labrador's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for vesper sparrows · Best feeder for vesper sparrows

Frequently asked

Are vesper sparrows in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round?

No. Vesper Sparrows are summer breeders in Newfoundland and Labrador and leave for the winter.

When do vesper sparrows nest in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador typically runs June–July, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.

What native plants attract vesper sparrows in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Paper birch, Red maple, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide food or cover for vesper sparrows.

Other backyard birds in Newfoundland and Labrador

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Purple Finch American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Common Raven Sharp-shinned Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Snow Bunting Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.